Sports Wars

by Wondery
3,000

You can binge all episodes of Sports Wars exclusively and ad-free on Wondery+. Find Wondery+ in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts.

Sports rivalries can fuel fans and athletes to fight and argue for years. But what’s the real story behind these epic battles?

From Wondery, the company behind “Business Wars”, “Gladiator” and “The Lead” comes SPORTS WARS, a new series that offers an immersive look at some of the greatest athletic rivalries of all time: two superpower nations facing off in the Miracle on Ice. The battle for the starting quarterback gig in Green Bay between Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers. And many more.

Host Dan Rubenstein (Sports Illustrated, SB Nation) will take you from the grudge matches to the pranks, from the tantrums to the triumphs: what really happened, who was right, who was wrong -- and you can decide whose side you’re on.

Binge all episodes of Sports Wars exclusively and ad-free by joining Wondery+ in Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/sports-wars/ now.

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Recent Reviews
  • 1JennM*
    20 seasons and only 1 about women in sport?
    Really enjoyed the back story and research. Liked the Green Bay episodes as well as Nadal v Federer, but so disappointed in the lack of episodes about women’s sports. 1 about the Williams sisters? How about Chrissie and Martina? US Women’s Soccer v The World? Paul Newby-Frazier and Erin Baker? Annika Sorenstam and every one else? Nancy Kerrigan and Tonya Harding? US v Canada women’s hockey?
  • I'mDefinitelyItalianDwBro
    Suggestion
    Michigan vs Ohio State Football
  • Brian O'Flanahan
    Stop making it wondery + only
    I was able to listen to all of season 10 before this weekend and now that’s changed. Such a disappointment
  • ._:D
    Suggestion
    Messi vs. C.Ronaldo
  • Cheney 63
    Best sport podcast
    I really enjoyed the history to every sports in this podcast. Highly recommended. Especially season 12 on Brady and Manning two world best quarterbacks in my lifetime.
  • @the🐐
    Can’t listen to them all
    I hate that I can’t listen to all the pod cast But other than that 💯
  • jg8187
    Please do ravens vs steelers
    ^^^^
  • sad dubs
    Awesome podcast
    It is so cool and it is fun to learn about sports
  • Funky ^_^
    Pay walls
    Why make fans pay now? We listen to all the ads.
  • Baseball fan 0917
    Connor vs Khabib
    Why can I only listen to one episode? Thank you! Love the podcast!
  • Taken it Slow...
    Sports Wats
    Love these! Absolutely riveting. I could listen to these nonstop. Takes me back in time to when sports were real, and not all this Marxist, social justice, woke, critical race theory nonsense. Oh to make it American again! Job well done, Wondry!
  • Mysterio.
    Enough with the Jordan Deification
    You’re not frozen out when you get up 9 shots and only make 2. A completely biased retelling of a great rivalry with only Jordan as the good guy even though he was a terrible teammate, degenerate gambler, and completely selfish player. This series is trash.
  • gobravesboy
    Awesome Podcast
    You should have the last season free for us
  • Taylor Leigh V
    Anti Capitalism....?
    I was with this podcast until the narrator placed capitalism in the same category as racism and the Soviet Union during he globetrotter podcast. If you are I’ll informed or don’t have the intellectual ability to understand history or do your job with diligence do not bother doing a podcast. This has become another worthless voice among thousands dropping on deaf ears. Very lost.
  • MarcAlexander7
    Can’t wait ‘til y’all come back!
    To everyone hating-it’s a “hiatus,” not a cancellation. So, I have enjoyed the 16 seasons thus far and look forward to Sports Wars’ return when the hiatus is done.
  • hbdfjkAKLMS?:<"
    I love Wondery
    But can you guys do Bears v Pacers
  • Ken Ess
    I'm done with anything Wondery
    Faithful listener, spread the word to many podcast junkies at my work. Then you go and tease the show, but wait now you faithful listeners that grew the show from day one and have endured all the repetitive commercials have to pay. The hardest part is getting the attention of an audience and keeping it. You had it and threw it all away. Reading the comments I am not the only one to make this decision.
  • JRock80430
    Don’t let this be the last season
    Why is this the last season. This is an awesome show. You have so many more you could do. Like Duke vs UNC
  • PENS FAN 49
    NHL?
    NHL series pls
  • Saperstein family
    FICTION!!
    I am Abe Saperstein’s granddaughter. You say at the end of the HARLEM GLOBETROTTER’S podcast this is a dramatization and you are using Ben Green’s book as a reference. Green never spoke to my family. This is horrible, you are trying to pass this off as facts. You should really do a much better job when researching a topic for your shows. After hearing the “dramatization” about the Globetrotters, I would have serious doubt , on any of your other podcasts that you produce. I think it’s a good idea to take an hiatus, so you can get your FACTS straight!!! Shameful
  • Psbejcissmnd
    Of Course You’d Go Exclusive
    I have been a major fan of Wondery Podcasts. I am majorly disappointed that the last season of Sports Wars is only on Wondery Plus. What was the point of all of the ads before if we can’t listen to the last season unless we pay?
  • slvrgldmtls
    Why?
    Why?
  • areallyannoyedcustomer
    Why!?
    Why is this the last season!? There’s so many more great stories for your team to put out
  • The Big Dude
    I’m impressed
    You all do a great job! Why are y’all leaving? I swear — you’re one of the rare diversions from the contrived bull crap in this crazy ass country of ours.
  • lukeland13
    Amazing podcast!
    I can’t explain how great this Podcast is. Such great sports stories. Super bummed it’s going on a hiatus. Hope it returns soon!
  • g_man_joe
    yep, it is about sports
    This is a show i listen to that has good content, but I don't need to focus on it while it is on. Which works for me.
  • D-Patt Jr.
    NASCAR needs one
    Love all the stories so far, even ones I thought I wouldn’t care for. Would love to hear you do one on Earnhardt versus Gordon from the 90s in NASCAR.
  • WestWorldWe'reWaiting
    3 mins of adds within 4mins 38 seconds
    Wow
  • hdhshsvakagd
    ?
    What happened to season four
  • bowenarrow9
    I have a sports wars idea.
    What about Cr7 vs Lionel Messi.
  • zeke3347812
    Volume
    Love the podcast but seriously equalize the volume of content and advertisements. Almost caused me to crash my car when startled.
  • ktm5461
    Always informative. Always fun.
    Been listening for a long time and every episode is fun. I like the pacing and balance of info and dramatic interpretation.
  • Optimus Wiggle
    Hack Wars.
    These “War” stories are painfully biased and borderline plagiarized. Case in point... “Jordan vs Isiah”... Literally the audio version of The Last Dance. Not even a minute into part 4 and can’t bring myself to finish listening to the verbal tongue bath this show has been giving MJ. Not sure if the show is trying to get sponsored by Jordan or if the man himself gets final edit. But this “war” is wack.
  • Looking for Sports
    Tiger Woods Episode
    It would have been nice to hear about sports and not a morality lesson.
  • Jomah87
    Outstanding
    This podcast is entertaining, informative and a great escape for a time in which we all could use one. Do Cubs vs Cards!
  • oris budh
    Great podcast
    I got really hooked to this during quarantine and I can not stop listening. It has a lot of details. One request. Do UNC vs Duke
  • anon98765432
    Great Storyteller
    Dan is a great storyteller! This show and the Solid Verbal have got me hooked. Plz do one on the Red Wings and Avalanche in the 90s! By far one of hockey’s greatest rivalries.
  • dhneduhdd
    UNC v Duke
    UNC v Duke
  • PastorBert
    But what happened to season 2?
    I’m not even a tennis fan, but the reporting is so good I got hooked after 2 episodes but then episodes 3-6 disappeared. What’s up?
  • EagleSFaN!!!!!!!
    CavalierWahoo11
    Sox yanks Duke unc UVA vt
  • dos&hawks
    Love this podcast! Love sports you will love this!
    I stumbled across this podcast looking for something to fill the sports void during the COVID-19 sports shutdown. I am a die hard sports fan and wow did this hit the mark. Love to listen to podcasts during my workouts and love sports - this was a perfect combination! Brady vs Manning, Sosa vs McGuire, Tiger vs the Field, Sanders vs Rice to name a few - what a great stroll down past great sport stories! All have been great. My workouts are longer too as I want to move on to the next episode! Download today!!
  • Oskar Jones
    I love the historical content. Thank you
    Pele vs Messi Athletes vs world war 2 cancellation of the olympics Something regarding formula 1. Lots of options. I own a restaurant so this may be weird... the progression of concessions in the world of sports. How hot dogs became relevant at a baseball game, mint julep at the Kentucky derby. Etc...
  • dtslcd
    Sports War #18
    To me the best rivalries are when 2 teams are at the top of their games and hate each other. In my lifetime in the 60s it was Bo vs Woody; In the 80s it was Lakers-Celtics. But the best of all was the late 90’s Red Wings vs Rockies. All those Hall of Famers, you should absolutely make a season of that War
  • giantsboii91
    Great - but needs some hockey
    Rangers vs Devils Avalanche vs Red Wings in the 90s
  • User476327
    Love it!
    Thank you for the great content. My recommendation is to cover the international rugby rivalry of South Africa vs the All Blacks. There are some great stories including the RWC highlighted in the movie Invictus. Although what was not covered in that movie is the alleged food poisoning of the All Blacks squad!
  • codes logo
    Amazing
    Do Nelson Cruz vs Josh Donaldson
  • Football 7791
    Great show
    Do Celtics vs. Lakers
  • TheHerd3
    sportswars3
    I like this podcast, could you do LeBron vs. Kyrie
  • hellu16573
    Lakers Celtics
    Love this show, but please do lakers v Celtics. There are just so many things to talk about, and it is a better war than others, like the rock v stone cold Austen. PLEASE add this war
  • couchboi1020
    Great
    Red Sox yanks please
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